Archive for November, 2013

A recent survey, described here in The Columbian of Clark County, Wash., sheds an important and fascinating light on pet owner attitudes toward sources of pet dogs.

The study was conducted by Best Friends Animal Society and focused on people 18 to 34 years of age. The results? Nearly half—46 percent—of these young people found shelter animals less desirable than animals purchased from breeders or pet stores. This study will draw a lot of attention, but not necessarily for obvious reasons.

On Aug. 1, 1989, the Denver City Council banned pit bulls. Many people predicted that a wave would sweep the country outlawing so-called “dangerous” breeds. It’s 24 years later, and while other municipalities have followed Denver’s course, the wave is now receding. Even President Obama went on the White House website this last August to announce his opposition to breed-specific legislation.

On Oct. 1, the Ohio Department of Agriculture rules took effect implementing the high-volume breeders bill passed by the legislature and signed by Gov. John Kasich last December. Senate Bill 130 represents a comprehensive and pragmatic regulatory approach to large-scale breeders (those that produce at least nine litters and sell 60 or more dogs per year), pet retailers, and rescue operations in Ohio.

Monique Balas wrote a story in Pet Talk recently featuring data from a recent study of the veterinary work force. It’s always interesting to see how people view a particular profession, and it often comes down to whether the glass is half empty or half full. The impression from the Pet Talk piece was that the glass is half empty, based upon data suggesting that most veterinarians could handle 13 percent more business in their practices. So what is the half full view?